Chapter 453: The Sea Becomes Mulberry Fields

After returning to Wangyue Island, Qin Ming resumed his life of farming and cultivation.

In the correspondence he had exchanged previously.

He also learned from Su Yuqing the route to the Great Jin Immortal Dynasty.

One must travel to the capital of Liang State, use the long-range teleportation array established by Li Huo Palace, and possess the Sacred Flame Token.

Otherwise, the only option is to board one of the major merchant guilds' Yuanyuan magic ships.

But even upon arrival, one must present the Sacred Flame Token to verify identity before entering.

Qin Ming happened to possess one such Sacred Flame Token—it had been gifted to him by Zhou Yu during his Golden Core ceremony.

The Great Jin Dynasty strictly controls the entry of cultivators from vassal immortal realms.

Those caught smuggling face dire consequences once discovered.

Each activation of the long-range teleportation array requires one hundred and fifty high-grade spirit stones.

This single harsh requirement alone keeps ninety-nine percent of cultivators from the Southern Wastelands outside.

Only a few sects' Golden Core elders can afford such a massive expense; solitary cultivators simply cannot.

But Qin Ming was in no hurry to leave; he planned to bide his time, waiting until the spirit stones he had planted on the island were harvested.

Next,

Half a year later, the three states jointly reclaimed Jin State from the Six Demon Sects.

Each sent forces to garrison their assigned territories; such a vast landmass naturally drew the greed of the major sects.

Yet disagreements arose when finalizing their respective territorial divisions.

Tensions even flared into hostility.

Qin Ming had anticipated this—when resources and profit were involved, these great sects turned on each other faster than flipping a page.

During this time,

Something happened in the spiritual energy Archipelago.

One day,

Qin Ming was tending his spirit fields when Wu Jiang came to pay his respects.

Wu Jiang had grown considerably over the years—mature, steady, sharp, and capable; having achieved Foundation Establishment in his seventies, he had now advanced to Foundation Establishment Mid-Stage.

Under his management, the Wu family had thrived, producing many spirit farmers with exceptional talent for spirit plants.

The spirit rice rent he paid Qin Ming increased year after year.

"Wu Daozhi, what brings you here?"

Qin Ming set down his spirit hoe and asked.

Wu Jiang stepped forward calmly and bowed respectfully: "My Lord, Lord Li Yuanqing of the Seventy-Two Solitary Alliance passed away yesterday."

"The Alliance has sent word to inform you, likely hoping you will select the next steward of the spiritual energy Archipelago."

Qin Ming sighed upon hearing this.

"I never expected Li Daozhi to leave as well."

A profound sense of life's transience surged within him.

Li Yuanqing had once taken a pill to forcibly boost his cultivation during the beast tide defense, leaving lasting damage.

Even after Qin Ming gave him the Five Elements Life-Extending Peach, he still could not survive thirty years.

"Very well. Since an old friend is gone, I shall pay my respects."

Qin Ming held a favorable impression of Li Yuanqing—he had entrusted him with many tasks.

Though he had always concealed his identity, their connection was real.

The spiritual energy Archipelago was nominally governed by the Seventy-Two Solitary Alliance, but in truth, everyone looked to Wangyue True Person's will.

Since Qin Ming achieved Golden Core, many solitary cultivators had come seeking to settle and develop in the spiritual energy Archipelago.

With Wangyue True Person's name behind it, the Archipelago's influence among the three states rivaled that of the major sects.

Qin Ming's gaze deepened; after a moment's thought, he said to Wu Jiang, "Wu Daozhi, I can't think of anyone more suitable to lead the Alliance—how about you take the position?"

"Huh??"

"My Lord jests—I lack the cultivation, the strength, the seniority; I could never command respect or shoulder such a burden."

Wu Jiang was startled, smiling wryly.

Qin Ming had only spoken in passing—he wished to appoint a reliable steward before leaving, to prevent chaos upon his return.

It seemed Wu Jiang had grown too fond of farming—he didn't want to be Alliance Leader. Then,

Qin Ming set aside time to pay respects to Li Yuanqing at Fengqi Island.

"Alas, all the elders I once knew are passing away one by one."

He decided not to interfere further in choosing the Alliance Leader; let them vote freely.

Qin Ming observed the proceedings, and when the new leader was chosen, he offered a few words of encouragement—effectively recognizing the choice.

Several rules were then established, all aimed at ensuring peace and stable development for the spiritual energy Archipelago.

The new leader's name was Ren Tianqi, a relatively young middle-aged cultivator at Foundation Establishment Mid-Stage, personally trained by Li Yuanqing.

He was the perfect choice.

…

Time slipped away.

Five years passed in the blink of an eye.

One day, Qin Ming had just harvested all the spirit plants in his fields, and his spiritual sense gained over a dozen new entries.

Over these years, through diligent farming in the Small Spirit Realm and Wangyue Island, he had gathered many more 【Abundant Lifespan】 entries.

The lifespan he had consumed in battle was fully restored—now totaling over two thousand six hundred years.

His magic power cultivation had steadily advanced, drawing ever closer to Golden Core Late Stage.

His body cultivation had also made great strides, aided by the Supreme Pill.

At that moment,

Suddenly, Qin Ming's expression shifted.

He sensed distant spiritual energy surging wildly, converging toward a single direction—his gaze turned toward Canghai Xiancheng.

"Such a massive disturbance of spiritual energy."

"Could it be Gu Qingzhao attempting to break through to Golden Core?"

Thinking this, Qin Ming's figure blurred and vanished from his spot.

Less than half an hour later, he arrived outside Canghai Xiancheng.

He gazed at the five-li-wide vortex of dense spiritual energy spiraling downward onto a cave dwelling atop Canghai Peak.

His suspicion was confirmed.

"It truly is her attempting Golden Core."

Within Canghai Xiancheng, countless solitary cultivators looked up at the astonishing phenomenon, stunned.

"Such a massive spiritual energy cloud—someone is breaking through to Golden Core!"

"Who would have thought Canghai Xiancheng would produce another Golden Core True Person?"

"To witness a Golden Core breakthrough in my lifetime—what a blessing."

"I wonder which elder is making the breakthrough."

At that moment, a blue light streaked past and halted before Qin Ming—it was Nalan Xi.

"Qin Daozhi, you've come too," she smiled warmly.

Nalan Xi knew Qin Ming and Gu Qingzhao were close—her very life had been saved by him.

Yet Gu Qingzhao, soon after recovering, had rented a Class Three Upper-grade spirit vein cave on Canghai Peak and remained in seclusion ever since.

Today, she began her Golden Core breakthrough—and the spiritual energy aura formed was a true Golden Core, not a false one.

With Nalan Xi's insight, it was easy to deduce that all this was likely tied to Qin Ming.

Hence, a knowing smile touched her lips.

"It seems Qingzhao has strong confidence in this breakthrough," Nalan Xi said lightly.

Qin Ming replied, "It's uncertain. Although Gu Daozhi possesses a top-grade spiritual root, breaking through to the Golden Core stage remains difficult."

"But she has trained outside for over a decade and grown considerably—her decision to break through now suggests she is fully prepared."

BOOM!

No sooner had he spoken than the dark clouds above accelerated their gathering.

(End of Chapter)